POS1572-PARE HELPER’S WAY OF WORKING IN ORS BRANCH – NIS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN 2021
Authors: D. Jankovic, V. Filipovic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Helper is a person with RMD educated to help other patients. Based on the clearly defined authorizations this person helps in advising and information sharing among the ORS members. 1 Association of patients with rheumatic diseases of the Republic of Serbia (ORS) operates across the country through the reference centers/ branches, but in pandemic the functioning of helper in an regular way was significantly impacted. Objectives In order to continue with the functioning in Association and with Helper during the Covid-19 pandemic, new communication and info-sharing methods has been applied. In this work will be shown how the strategy of communication was shifted from physical to digital, methods used for information sharing and communication tools of the modern world has been used for this purposes. Also, functioning of the branch in Niš and its Helper will be shown through statistical comparison of data prior and during the Covid19. Methods In the definition phase of Association’s response on the new circumstances, it has been concluded that most of the members are using some of IM platform or e-mail. Based on this fact, out of 247 members of branch in Niš, 168 members have been joined through the most popular IM platform in Serbia – Viber. Through the group the patients has been sharing the information, notifications and other news important for the patients. Group administrators supported discussions, but also identified patients who did note use IM platforms and those members were notified by phone or e-mail. This method of communication was symbiotic with other projects of the Association because we used the same communication channels to increase the awareness of members about the activities of the Association. Results During 2019, Helper’s work took place under normal conditions. At the Niska Banja Institute, Helper used the office where patients with rheumatic diseases used to come. Four lectures by eminent experts in the field of rheumatology and physiatry were organized, as well as socializing in the form of meetings and field trips. We marked the World Arthritis Day and the World Osteoporosis Day. 2 During 2021, most activities took place online or outdoors, depending on the intensity of the Covid-19 wave. Helper’s work took place from home in January and February 2021, and from March to the end of 2021, Helper worked in the office. The lectures that were organized were exclusively online. We have marked the World Arthritis Day with a small number of participants. The event was realized with media support. 3 Analysis and participation of members in 2019 and 2021 are shown below: •In 2021, 208 vs 260 live contacts in 2019;on average 17 vs 22 contacts per month - In 2021, 216 contacts through online meetings; on average 18 per month. IN 2019 no such exercise. - In 2021, 2.000 vs 239 contacts in Viber group in 2019; on average 167 vs 20 members - In 2019, alternative communication methods were not used. In 2021, 1,023 contacts were made with messages, calls and emails, or 85 per month. Conclusion Based on the fact mentioned above, 2019 was richer and more fulfilling with lectures, socializing and direct contacts with members, while in 2021 communication was dominated by digital tools and methods (Viber groups, calls, emails) and consultation with doctors via e-consultations and by phone 4 . The pandemic disabled direct contact with members of the Association and live lectures, but the Association used digitalization as a complement to new ways of working that connected us more than ever before, enabled instant transmission of information and created a basis for support at times when it was necessary the most. With this process in place, we not only fulfilled the goal of the Association, but we went a step further - we became the first contact for patients with RMD. References [1]Marija Kosanović, dr Mirjana Lapčević – podrška pacijentima – dnevnik biološke terapije [2]Danijela Janković – Izveštaj Podružnice Niš za 2019 godinu [3]Danijela Janković – Izveštaj Podružnice Niš za 2021 godinu. [4]Dr Mirjana Lapčević: Online counselling for arthritis patients - patient’s perspective, Rheumatology congres 2021. Disclosure of Interests None declared